A few questions from Jason in the email box: “How does zazen/mindfulness impact thinking in everyday life? Is there some effect?”  With mindfulness we know where we are – suffering – and it transforms our life.  With zazen we wholeheartedly just live whether there is an effect or not.  “How can a teacher like Trungpa be so gifted and yet seem to have major issues in his life?” Maybe just like a Buddha (can to sung to “Just Like a Woman”... Read more

https://youtube.com/watch?v=orvS_A6KYyY Can’t think of a better song for what’s comin’!  Come back Woody! There might be hope for old, white guys yet – but that’s not who’s going to be the next president of the USofA! Read more

Here’s a comment from my last post that I’d like to post a comment about … so we’re already in the realm of two or three heads! Continue reading at your own peril. Dosho, In [“Valley Sounds, Mountain Colors”] Dogen talked of the ‘second enlightenment’ of Master Kyogen Chikan and Master Reiun Shigon. Nishijima Roshi interprets this as those Masters’ attainment of understanding of the entire philosophical system of Buddhism. What do you think of this idea? Is the ‘essential... Read more

(Above is another shot of the enso tree from the woods near Wild Fox Temple [aka, my house]) This is post #108th – #1 went up on May 10 – so, dear reader, cheers! Here’s to delusion after delusion. Speaking of which, a few years ago I visited Great Vow Monastery in Oregon. I was packing to leave and decided not to carry back on the plane my reading material from the trip out. I went to the office with... Read more

On Friday mornings I’m in the habit of reflecting on the Thursday night study session and offering something here from there. This session was particularly fun with lots of laughter. I’ll share one story from the session in a minute. My comments here serve the double purpose of an offering for the blog reader and a pointer for the small group of practitioners participating in the 100-day training, either via the internet or in person. We’re just going by day... Read more

That’s the title of an article from “Religious News Service: The only secular news and photo service devoted to unbiased coverage of religion and ethics—exclusively” cited by Rev. Danny Fisher blog. I’m aware that I haven’t said much in quite some time about political issues. My blogging has become more and more about layin’ out the Zen spread. This article is a nice overview of what’s going on in the Buddhist community regarding these so very interesting times. Please do... Read more

A natural enso  in the woods behind our house. Admiring and photographing this gnarled tree capped off an afternoon romp with dog Bodhi and my kids. There is something inexplicably satisfying for me in see Bodhi and my kids running wild in a field of tall, golden grasses.  Read more

40 degrees and snowing now in White Bear! When all dharmas are of the Buddha‑dharma, there is illusion and enlightenment, practice, birth and death, buddhas and sentient beings. A friend of many years came by last night to install a new “programmable” thermostat and have dinner. Although the installation went well – his part – setting the program didn’t – my part. The day and year just wouldn’t change. Maybe it’s the unit, maybe it’s my lack of mind-melding skill... Read more

An earthworm is cut in two pieces; the two pieces are both moving. In which piece do you think Buddha-nature exists? In the Genjokoan Dogen slices our practice into four pieces: when all things are the Buddhadharma, when all things are without self, leaping out from abundance and absence, and “…yet in attachment blossoms fall, and in aversion weeds spread.” Which piece has the Buddha-nature?  Just no delusion. When all things are the radiant blooming of  Great Perfection, they are just... Read more

The Venerable S. came by last night for Dogen study. I once gave her the Sixteen Bodhisattva Precepts and now she is a fully ordained Theravadan Bhikkuni, soon off on pilgrimage to western Australia and points beyond for more training. She’s living her dream and so I’m very happy for her. Really very happy.  She brought a gift for everyone – Bhikku Bodhi’s Ten Best Talks CD. Very sweet.  Dogghi Bodhi offered his ten best too. For one, he couldn’t get enough of... Read more